First Aid Mnemonics
General first aid mnemonics
> DR ABC (primary survey)
Danger Response
Airway, Breathing Circulation/Compressions/Call an ambulance
> HEAD (general methodology)
History Examination Action Documentation
> CHAT (general methodology)
Chief complaint History Allergies Treatment
Major incident
> METHANE
Major incident declared Exact location Type of incident Hazards (present and future) Access
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Number, type, severity of casualties Emergency services now present and those required
> CHALETS
Casualties, number, type, severity Hazards (present and future) Access routes that are safe to use Location Emergency services present and required Type of incident Safety
History taking
> SAMPLE (questions to ask casualties)
Signs & symptoms Allergies Medication Previous relevant medical history Last oral intake Event history
> PQRST-U (assessing pain)
Provoke - what provokes the pain? Quality - what is the pain like? Sharp? Dull? Ache? Radiates - does the pain go anywhere else? Severity - how bad is the pain on a scale of 0 - 10. Time - when did the pain start/finish.
U - what do you think about the pain? Is this normal for you? Have you had this before?
> SOCRATES (assessing pain)
Site - where is the pain? Onset - when did the pain begin?
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Character - Sharp? Dull? Ache? Radiation - does the pain go anywhere? Associated symptoms - any other symptoms? e.g: Nausea & Vomiting Timing - when did the pain begin? Exacerbating and relieving factors - anything make it better or worse? Severity - how bad is the pain on a scale of 0 - 10
Fractures
> PLASTIC (signs & symptoms of a fracture)
Pain Loss of movement Angulation Swelling Tenderness Irregularity Crepitus
> LIP DUST (signs & symptoms of a fracture)
Loss of movement Irregularity Pain
Deformity Unnatural movement Swelling Tenderness
Major bleeding and shock
> PEEP (treatment of major bleeding)
Position Expose Elevation Pressure
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> RED-E (treatment of major bleeding)
Rest Expose Direct Pressure Elevation
> CLIP GG's (types of wound)
Contusion Laceration Incision Puncture Gunshot Graze Stab
Causes of unconsciousness
> FISH SHAPED
Fainting Infantile convulsions Shock Head Injury
Stroke Heart Attack Asphyxia Poisons Epilepsy Diabetes
Sprains & strains
> RICE (treatment of a sprain or strain)
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Rest Ice Comfortable position / compression Elevation
Levels of consciousness
> AVPU (assessment of level of consciousness)
Alert Voice - does the casualty respond to verbal commands? Pain - does the casualty respond to a pain stimulus? Unresponsive
Handovers
> ASHICE (handover of a casualty - normally done over the radio / phone)
Age Sex History Injuries Consciousness level/changes Everything else / ETA
> ATMIST (handover of a trauma casualty)
Age Time of incident Mechanism of injury Injuries (top to toe) Signs (vital signs) Treatment given
> SBAR (handover of any critical situation)
Situation Background
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Assessment Recommendations
Secondary survey
> DOTS (things to look for on a secondary survey)
Deformity Open wounds Tenderness Swelling
Burns
> SCALD (assessment of a burn)
Size Cause Age Location Depth
Sports first aid / injuries
> SALTAPS (assessment of the injured player)
Stop Ask - questions about the injury Look - at the injury Touch - feel for tenderness Active movement Passive movement Stand - can they weight bear?
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